Problem -based Scenarios in Practice E-learning for plant disease diagnosis
Problem-based Scenarios for Plant Disease Diagnosis � The why? � Diagnosis is more than just identification of a suspected causal agent � The diagnostician: � Need to follow a deductive process � Needs to integrate and apply knowledge from a variety of disciplines � How could we teach students “the art” of plant disease diagnosis?
Problem-based Scenarios for Plant Disease Diagnosis � The wherefores � A “virtual” environment that contains plants with problems (a problem-based scenario) � Student must interact with this environment, examining objects, carrying out tests, eliciting information from “actors” � Forming hypotheses and proving/ disproving them, the goal being to: � diagnosis the problem � justify the diagnosis � provide recommendations of how to fix the problem
Problem-based Scenarios for Plant Disease Diagnosis � Needed software with this functionality… � Ability to specify locations, tasks and tests � Conditional revelations � Objects collectable and transportable � Tracking of students � Tailored feedback depending on actions � Associate costs with activities � Student reporting � Easy-to-author scenarios
DIAGNOSIS V 1 (1991) � MS-DOS � Text and Pictures � Line-based, two word “verb- noun” interface. � Big vocabulary needed to pick up synonyms
DIAGNOSIS for Mac (1993) � HyperCard � Graphical “drop and drag” interface � Generic plant and generic lab � Fully multimedia
DIAGNOSIS V 2 (1995) (with UQ, Aust.) � Windows 3.1 � Menu driven � Fully Multimedia � New tasks and observations � Accommodated insect problems
DIAGNOSIS V 3 (2003) � 98/ ME/ XP/ NT/ 2000/ � No “fixed” tasks. All defined in the scenario � Accommodates hyperlinks � Allows tutor-directed Help � Player is “Frame” based � Builder uses a Windows Explorer metaphor � Accommodates multi-choice � Can sequence activities
Problem-based Scenarios for Plant Disease Diagnosis � Screenshots from the Diagnosis for Crop Problems Player i.e. the student’s view… .
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Problem-based Scenarios for Plant Disease Diagnosis � Screenshot from the Diagnosis for Crop Problems Builder i.e. the tutor’s/ author’s view… .
Problem-based Scenarios for Plant Disease Diagnosis � Scenarios: � Allow students to explore a number of likely hypotheses � Use an “Adventure-game” metaphor � Use a 2 nd person perspective � Incorporate characterisation and humour where possible � Contain misleading clues and “red-herrings” � May suggest, lead, guide and interpret (or NOT!) as appropriate
Student Survey 2002-2004 Question SA A U D SD CHI I enjoyed these exercises 14 8 0 1 0 < 0.01 The interface w as intuitive 9 12 1 1 0 < 0.01 and easy to use These exercises helped m e 11 11 0 1 0 < 0.01 im prove m y know ledge of the diagnostic process I w ould have learnt m ore 1 0 4 10 8 < 0.01 from just covering diagnostic exam ples given in form al lectures, rather than using the softw are SA= Strongly agree, A= Agree, U= Undecided, D= Disagree, SD= Strongly Disagree 23 students
Student Survey 2002-2004 (cont…) Question SA A U D SD CHI I w ould have learnt m ore 1 0 2 12 8 < 0.01 from just being given diagnostic exam ples in w ritten form to read about at hom e, rather than using the softw are I found the typed 7 13 3 0 0 < 0.01 "Creator’s Solution" feedback com m ents on the returned script helpful I prefer to go through a 4 7 9 2 1 0.04 scenario w ith one other, rather than by m yself SA= Strongly agree, A= Agree, U= Undecided, D= Disagree, SD= Strongly Disagree 23 students
Problem-based Scenarios for Plant Disease Diagnosis – Some wisdom � Storyboarding scenarios can be the most difficult part of the exercise � “Embedding” into the course is important � Careful thought needs to be given to.. � Learning Objectives � Time-Frame � Student Resources � Team-play � Some value in student’s creating their OWN scenarios
DIAGNOSIS Extras � Scenario Creation Guide � Assists teachers in developing, documenting and storyboarding diagnostic scenarios � Support Website � www.diagnosis.co.nz � Free scenarios � Student Builder � Allows Students to construct scenarios
Spin-off developments (2005- ) � A generic version of DIAGNOSIS � CHALLENGE FRAP (Form for Recording the Analysis of Problems) � Derivation of the CHALLENGE Builder � Acts as both a guide and a recording template for problem-based exercises � PBL-Interactive � UQ software. An advance on CHALLENGE which includes a web-based player
Spin-off developments (2005- ) � E-CDF Project 512 � Produce enhanced versions of � CHALLENGE FRAP � PBL-Interactive � Manuals and support material � Fifteen exemplar PBL-i scenarios � Make all of the above available to TEIs � http: / / pbl.massey.ac.nz
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